Disclaimer: The characters and places belong to their rightful owners, Beth Sully et al and some of them are mine

This story is a follow on to the Cheyenne Number series, Nesohto, Nanohto, Soohto and Mahtohto, it's a little bit of everything, heartbreak, angst, love, loss, drama and romance and a little bit of action at least that is how chapter 8 is panning out. I hope you enjoy, I shall post weekly, Thursday/Friday. I hope you enjoy, let me know what you think

Kate x

Heartlines

Prologue

1st January 1881

It was snowing again, thick flakes filling in the cleared driveway, the one which Ben had spent all day clearing for her. The little boy trying to be helpful, like so many of her friends had tried to be over the last year. The last horrible, achingly alone year. She had been surrounded by people, whether it be her friends, her children, or just those that wished her well, but she still felt alone. So alone it hurt.

The wind rattled the pane of glass and she pushed at the gum sealing the window, she had picked at it one too many times as she had stood staring out across her home, hoping that by some miracle she would see him. But she never did, and all she ever succeeded in doing was making herself more tired and now it seemed breaking the house. The house he had built for her.

"Mama!"

Michaela turned at the sound of her daughter's voice, their surprise baby, born following a wonderful Christmas dalliance. A fourth daughter named for her Grandmother, an almost perfect copy of Esmee apart from her white blonde hair, as with all their children to her perfect in every way.

She made her way to the cot and despite her melancholy, smiled; the sight of the two year old's chubby cheeks and beautiful smile never failing to lift her. "Bethie," Michaela whispered, pausing as she noted once more, how quickly Beth was growing, and how cramped her sleeping arrangement in the cot was. "Bethie Bubbles," Michaela lifted her daughter out of the cot and cuddled her tight, "did Mama wake you up?"

"Brr," Beth answered snuggling into her mother's arms, her chubby digits gripping hold of Michaela shoulder's tightly.

"You are cold," Michaela deciphered Beth's utterance and slowly made her way to the bed. She climbed into the bed she had vacated over an hour ago, the warmth long since left it. "Mama shall make you cosy," Michaela cooed to the sleepy toddler as she fussed, tucking Beth in and snuggling down beside her. "You need a bed," Michaela whispered, her lips trailing across Beth's blonde crown.

She shuddered, she didn't want Beth to need a bed, she didn't want it at all. Each of the other children's beds were beautiful and bespoke, carved by their loving father, but who would make Beth's. Michaela squeezed her eyes shut, pressing one tear out but preventing the other's from falling down her cheek.

"Mama?" Beth's little hand trailed her cheek, her sweet face creased with worry.

"Mama loves you," Michaela forced herself to smile. "So does Papa," she kissed the toddler once more. "Please remember him, please remember who he is."

He turned at the sound of the clink of keys, knowing who was coming before she spoke,

"Mr Sully."

"Mrs Scott," Sully dipped his head respectfully at the small round woman.

"Mr Beardmore has asked me to advise you that his Lordship is ringing his bell." The housekeeper smiled at him. "While I appreciate you helping my girls, you have other duties to attend to."

"Yes Mrs Scott," Sully dipped his head.

The housekeeper watched him leave with curious eyes; so much was unknown about the mysterious quiet American. With a shake of her head she turned to survey the mess of the dining room, the chaos left over from the New Year's Eve party the night before. The mystery could wait, the room was still a mess and the family were rising. The American had been with them a year following his unfortunate arrival, and until he could raise enough money to get where he was going she had time to find out what he held behind his silence.